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Blue Jays pitcher Perez to have Tommy John surgery

Blue Jays left-hander Luis Perez is going have reconstructive elbow surgery Tuesday, an operation that could sideline him for over a year.

Blue Jays manager John Farrell said before their game against the New York Yankees that Perez was examined by Dr. James Andrews in Florida earlier Monday. Andrews confirmed Toronto’s original diagnosis of a torn ligament. Perez will have surgery Tuesday.

It’s the second bit of bad news for the Blue Jays’ bullpen in two days. On Sunday, Toronto said closer Sergio Santos needs shoulder surgery. Out since April 21, Santos tried to avoid an operation by rehabbing his shoulder but he felt pain while throwing Saturday. He is flying to California to see Dr. Lewis Yocum.

Perez will be the second Blue Jays pitcher to have Tommy John surgery this year. Starter Kyle Drabek had the operation last month.

“While it’s the worst fear, it’s a very clear-cut path going forward,” Farrell said of Perez’s injury. “Reconstructive surgery is a successful one, it’s been proven time over time. Yet it’s still going to be roughly 12 months before he will really be able to return to us.”

The 27-year-old Perez was placed on the 15-day disabled list July 8 with left elbow tightness after giving up four hits and two runs in Toronto’s 11-9 win over the Chicago White Sox. He went 2-2 with a 3.43 ERA in 35 appearances this season.

Also, Brandon Morrow is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Thursday of about 40 pitches. Morrow strained his left oblique in early June. If all goes well, he could throw batting practice in a week, Farrell said. He then would make from three to five rehab starts and could be back in late August.